LHU HOME

Oct. 30, 2004
Watch Out for the Neck Pinch -- Football Hosts #11 California Vulcans
Game #10 - California University (Pa.) - Hubert Jack Stadium
Lock Haven, Pa. - Saturday, Oct. 30- 1 p.m.

>>>2004 LHU Roster >>>2004 LHU Statistics >>>Cal U web site

Listen live to the game here

THE GAME
The Bald Eagles return home, where two of their three wins this season have taken place, to square off with California University (Pa.). Lock Haven enters the game having won two of their last four, both in overtime. In a rare scheduling quirk, LHU will host Cal U for the second season in a row. The Bald Eagles have taken four straight from the Vulcans at Hubert Jack Stadium.

Today’s contest will be “Senior Day”, honoring the 10 seniors who gave their heart and soul to the Lock Haven University football team.

Miller Brothers Auto Sales will again be sponsoring the $10,000 Nerf Football Toss at halftime. Entry forms can be filled out for free at the local auto dealer through Friday. This week each contestant will get two chances at the toss.

Today’s game is also “Youth Day” at Jack Stadium. All kids will receive a free Halloween Bag upon entry.

THE SERIES
California holds a slight 32-26-1 advantage over the Bald Eagles in a series dating back to 1965 when the Bald Eagles took a 38-13 victory. Lock Haven has won two of the last three, including last year’s 30-25 edging for Homecoming at Hubert Jack Field.

First Meeting 1965; 38-13

The Last Time Cal U Won 2002;34-19

The Last Time LHU Won 2003; 30-25

The Last Time LHU Won at Hubert Jack Stadium 2003; 30-25

The Last Time Cal U Won at Hubert Jack Stadium 1995; 19-14

THE LAST TIME VERSUS THE VULCANS
The last minute, goal line stand of the Lock Haven defense was the final piece of the puzzle needed to put together a 30-25 victory over California (Pa.) University in the Bald Eagles’ Homecoming game at Hubert Jack Stadium.

Deep into the fourth quarter at 3:44, Lock Haven opened up a drive at its own 24-yard line. The Vulcans pushed LHU back for two successive runs for a loss to bring up third down-and-16 yards. On the next play, California’s TJ Carden intercepted the ball and was headed for the endzone but LHU’s Marcus Burkley knocked the ball out of his hands. The ball ended up out of bounds with California regaining possession at the Haven seven-yard line at 2:02 on the clock. Two of backup quarterback John Aitken’s attempted passes into the endzone were broken up by Bald Eagle defenders. At third down and seven to go, Haven linebacker Dan Wissinger broke through the line and took Aitken down 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Needing another big play to end the California drive and seal the win, Derrik Metz stopped Aitken on the run to turn the ball over to LHU.

The theatrics of the nail-biting ending were contested by the myriad of quarky plays in the game. It all started out normal, with The Haven opening up a three point lead after a 35-yard field goal by Danny Hagerman (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) at the 9:00 mark of the first quarter. On California's next drive, LHU forced the Vulcans to punt from their own 12-yard line. The Haven’s Dustin Shaffer (Mayport, Pa./Redbank Valley) blocked Rusty Springer’s punt, and the Bald Eagles regained the ball at the six-yard line.

Head coach Mark Luther with eight of this year's 10 seniors

THE COACHES

Lock Haven Head coach Mark Luther (Penn State, ‘92) is in his fifth season with the Bald Eagle program. The 2002 PSAC Western Division Coach of the Year, Luther continues to create a more competitive product with his teams challenging the top conference and regional programs on a regular basis.

Just last season, the Bald Eagles’ wins included one over Bloomsburg University, the 2003 runner-up and 2004 pre-season favorite in the Eastern Division. He currently owns a 15-35 overall mark at Lock Haven. Luther assumed the head role at LHU following five years as an assistant with the Bald Eagles from 1994-1998, acting as defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and administrative assistant to former head coach Nick Polk.

John Luckhardt is in his third season with the Vulcans as head coach with a record of 15-15. Luckhardt came to Cal two years ago after a most successful tenure as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at nearby Washington and Jefferson College.

In 17 seasons at W&J, Lucky compiled a 137-37-2 cumulative record and had an 83% graduation rate. His Prexies won 13 President's Athletic Conference (PAC) Championships, five NCAA Division III regional championships, made 11 appearances in the NCAA playoffs, including two national championship game showings.

Three plays into the possession, Brian Camberg (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) found Adam Angelici in the back of the endzone for the score. With the successful Hagerman point after kick, LHU moved into a 10-0 lead.

California answered, driving 80 yards on the ensuing possession completed by a four-yard pass from Greg Dapper to Tommy Byrd for the touchdown to inch closer, 10-7, at 3:32 in the first quarter. California gained more momentum on the next series after Brian Oddi blocked and then recovered Hagerman’s punt at the LHU four-yard line. This time the Vulcans handed off to Tayon Mitchell for the four-yard scamper to take over the lead, 14-10.

Into the second quarter, the Bald Eagles regained the lead on a 52-yard reception by Burkley, who caught a short range pass over the middle from Camberg but shook off the defenders and sprinted into the right corner of the endzone to give LHU the 16-14 lead at 14:44 in the second quarter.

LHU defensive lineman Shaffer blocked his second punt of the day on Cal’s next drive to put the Bald Eagles on the California 48-yard line to open their drive. On fourth-and-11 from the visitor’s 29-yard line, Camberg located Rafael Smith (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) across the middle. Smith took the ball up to the 16 yards before being taken down. As Smith was falling, Cal’s Oddi forced the ball out of his hands, popping the ball into the air. LHU’s Burkley snagged the ball out of the air and kept on running, crossing into the endzone for the touchdown and the 23-14 lead.

The Vulcans’ Gary Amos hit a 49-yard field goal to bring California closer, 23-17, with 37 seconds left in the half. On the following kickoff, however, Justin Marshall (Luthersburg, Pa./DuBois) took the kick and ran up the middle but was met by a host of defenders. As he was being tackled, he tossed a lateral pass to a breaking Burkley, who ran it back 60 yards for the touchdown and the 30-17 Haven lead at the half.

California added eight points in the third quarter to creep closer, tacking on two with a safety at 8:52 after Bejey Thomas tackled the Haven rusher in the endzone. Another six came off a 51-yard drive on their possession after the safety as Brandon Jackson caught a three-yard pass from John Aitken. The pass attempt failed on the two-point conversion to make the score 30-25.

The Haven was stalled three times in its own territory in the fourth quarter. California threatened with a 21-yard field goal attempt at 10:18 in the fourth, but Rob Carey blocked his second field goal in as many games and the Haven came up with the ball and the eventual win.

SCOUTING CALIFORNIA
The Vulcans, now 4-3 overall, come to Hubert Jack Stadium off a 49-6 domination of Cheyney University. Feature back Antoine Bagwell ran for 216 yards and four touchdowns.

Cal U has a potent rushing attack, featuring the PSAC’s leading rusher, Bagwell, at 171.1 yards per game. The Vulcan passing attack has been effective as well, producing 18 total touchdowns, including eight from leading target Claude Whitaker.

Freshman Matt Humbert has been at the reigns of the Vulcan offense, producing 607 yards on 45-of-80 passing and seven touchdowns.

Leading Cal U on defense are a pair of linebackers, Brian Oddi and Lloyd Price. Oddi ranks eighth in the PSAC with 8.3 tackles per game and Price chips in with 48 total tackles and 5.5 behind the line of scrimmage. Converted quarterback Jared Drumm has 44 total tackles to go with his two interceptions as defensive back.

BALD EAGLE NOTES...

THE OFFENSE
The LHU offense has relied on the run game as of late, with Maurice Walker (N. Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills) recording consecutive 100-yard games. In the starting backfield is Walker (189 car., 808 yds., 6 TD), who is just two carries out of first place in LHU's career record books. Joining Walker is H-back Justin Marshall who has 15 carries for 94 yards and is second on the team with 20 receptions.

Under center is Tim Storino (Pittsburgh/Bethel Park) (50/137, 783 yds. 3 TD) who has led the team to two of their three victories.

At the wideouts are sophomore Rafael Smith (28 rec. 398 yds.) who ranks tenth in school history with 10 receiving touchdowns in just two years. Holding the other wide-receiver spot is freshman Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) who has 14 receptions for 234 yards and one touchdown.

Usual suspects appear on the starting line including junior center Jason Scott (Linden, Pa./Williamsport) along with guards Steve Szobocsan (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) and Adam Lanzendorfer (Martinsburg, Pa./Central). Eric Scaife (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola) and Matt Coxford (Middlebury Center, Pa./Wellsboro) claim the pair of offensive tackle positions. Jason Walther (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) is the probable starter at tight end and has hauled in six passes for 82 yards.

THE DEFENSE
Strong safety David Show (Mill Run, Pa./Connellsville Area) is tops on the team with 67 tackles. Joining Show will be senior Will Jones (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) at free safety (39 TT, 2 INT). On the corners will be Sheldon Gray(Norristown, Pa./Norristown) (29 TT, 23 solo) and Michael Nesby (Rankin, Pa./Woodland Hills) (32 TT, 2 INT).

The linebacking corps are headed by senior Brian Lumpkin (Rockville, Md./Bullis School) with 59 total tackles and 37 solo stops. At the other linebacker spots are Dan Jones (Sandy Lake, Pa./Cochranton) (24 TT, 1 TFL) and Charles Cannon (Braddock Hills, Pa./Woodland Hills) (15 TT, 4 solo).

The defensive ends shape up as Brad Sones (Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia) who leads the team with 6.5 tackles for loss (39 TT, 1 sack) and Ryan Bickel (Morrisdale, Pa./West Branch Area) (17 TT, 2 TFL). The rest of the line will include Warren Whitaker (Wilkes-Barre/GAR Memorial) (29 TT, 2 TFL) and Jarrod Hendricks (Rockton/DuBois Area) (18 TT, 1 TFL).

SPECIAL TEAMS
In just two years, sophomore Dan Hagerman has become one of the top kickers in LHU history. He has 15 field goals in his two-year career, good for third in the school record books. Hagerman is a perfect 13-for-13 on extra-point kicks and averages 35.3 yards per punt, good for 10th in the PSAC.

Maurice Walker and Michael Nesby are slated for kickoff returns, averaging 20.2 and 17.5, respectively. Walker also handles punts, averaging 1.5 yards per return.

###LHU###